Wireless communication game system

ABSTRACT

A wireless communication game system includes a plurality of mobile game apparatuses, which function as a parent device or a child device and are capable of making a communication with each other, and broadcasts from the parent device a parent device packet including a parent device PID, a user name UserName, a game name GameName, an OC flag, an E slot, a U slot, and a payload. All the parent device packets are received from the parent device existing within a communicationable range of a user&#39;s own apparatus, and the user&#39;s own apparatus creates a parent device list, and displays the parent device list on an LCD. Therefore, a user or a player of his own apparatus looks at the game name of the parent device list, for example, and operates a cross key included in an operation key so as to select one desired parent device. Then, transmitting a child device number CID of the user&#39;s own apparatus at the E slot designated by the parent device packet, the user&#39;s own apparatus transmits a connection request to the parent device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a game system utilizing awireless communication. More specifically, the present invention relatesto a wireless communication game system having a child device capable ofknowing information of a parent device existing within acommunicationable range between the child device, and a mobile gameapparatus and a game system used therefor.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] One example of a conventional wireless communication game systemis disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laying-open No. No.2000-135380 (International Classification: A63F13/00, H04L12/28)laid-open on May 16, 2000.

[0005] In this prior art, people such as friends, and others, make apromise among themselves, for example, and the promise is that theybring a game apparatus that execute the same game, establish acommunication by the game apparatus, and execute a wirelesscommunication game. In the prior art, users have no choice but toconfirm verbally identification information of the game apparatus ofothers and information on a game name, and etc. in order to know thesepieces of information. Therefore, in a case that the game apparatus ofunknown persons exists within a communicationable range, it isrealistically difficult to play the wireless communication game withthat person. Therefore, in the prior art, the user cannot freely anddynamically select the game apparatus of a communicating partner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention toprovide with a novel wireless communication game system, a mobile gameapparatus, and a child device connecting method and a game program inthe wireless communication game system.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide with awireless communication game system, a mobile game apparatus, and a childdevice connecting method and a game program in the wirelesscommunication game system capable of arbitrarily selecting a parentdevice which a child device intends to select.

[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to providewith a wireless communication game system, a mobile game apparatus, anda child device connecting method and a game program in the wirelesscommunication game system capable of freely playing a wirelesscommunication game with the game apparatus existing within acommunicationable range.

[0009] A wireless communication game system according to the presentinvention uses a plurality of mobile game apparatuses, which function asa parent device or a child device and are capable of making a wirelesscommunication with each other. The parent device includes a broadcastingmeans for broadcasting a parent device packet including user's ownapparatus identifying information for allowing a user's own apparatus tobe identified and game identifying information for allowing a gameexecuted by the user's own apparatus to be identified. The child deviceincludes a receiving means, a displaying means, a selecting means, and aconnection request transmitting means. The receiving means receives theparent device packet from the parent device existing within acommunicationable range. The displaying means displays a parent devicelist of the parent device existing within a communicationable range,based on the parent device packet received by the receiving means. Theselecting means allows a player to select any one of the parent devicesincluded in the parent device list. The connection request transmittingmeans transmits a connection request toward the parent device selectedby the selecting means.

[0010] More specifically, the wireless communication game system isformed using at least two mobile game apparatuses (10: correspondingreference numeral in the detailed description of the preferredembodiments described later. Hereinafter, the same is applied) in thisembodiment. A mobile game apparatus (10) in the embodiment includes amobile game machine (12), and a wireless communication unit (14)attached to the mobile game machine. In a case of the parent device, themobile game apparatus uses this mobile communication unit (14) so as tobroadcast a parent device packet in a first time slot, and receives achild device packet in a second time slot. In a case of the childdevice, the mobile game apparatus receives the parent device packet inthe first time slot, and transmits the child device packet toward theparent device in the second time slot.

[0011] The broadcasting means corresponds to steps S2003 and S2009 of atransmission/reception process of the parent device shown in FIG. 29 inthe embodiment, and broadcasts the parent device packet including aparent device number PID as the user's own apparatus identifyinginformation, and a game name GameName as game identifying information.

[0012] In addition, the child device receives the above-described parentdevice packet by the receiving means shown in a step S4001 in FIG. 32 ofthe embodiment. Based on this parent device packet, in a step S15 inFIG. 20, for example, the parent device list is created, and in a stepS23 or a step S25 in FIG. 20, the parent device list is displayed on anLCD (18).

[0013] A user of the child device looks at a game name in the parentdevice list, for example, and operates a cross key of an operation key(38) forming a selecting means in steps of S79 and S151 in FIG. 21 so asto select one desired parent device from the parent device list. Then, astep S83 in FIG. 24, that is, a connecting process of the child devicein FIG. 30 and FIG. 31 is executed. By means of a connection requesttransmitting means that corresponds to a step S3023 (FIG. 31)transmitting a child device number CID of the user's own apparatus to anE slot, the connection request is transmitted toward the parent device.

[0014] Therefore, this allows the child device to arbitrarily determinewhether to connect to any one of the parent devices displayed in theparent device list created from the parent device packet.

[0015] In a certain embodiment, the broadcasting means broadcasts theparent device packet even during a time that a communication game isbeing executed with another child device. This, more specifically,corresponds to FIG. 29, and the child device is capable of obtaininginformation (PID, game name, and etc.) in the parent device executingthe wireless communication game. This allows the child device to knowthe existence of the parent device having the child device that intendsto make a new participation, for example, so that it is possible toparticipate in the middle of the game play.

[0016] In another embodiment, the parent device and the child device areapparatus for making a wireless communication in a predeterminedcommunication cycle. The communication cycle includes a first time slotused by the parent device, and a second time slot used by the childdevice. The broadcasting means transmits the parent device packetincluding game data in the first time slot. That is, the first time slotis a parent device slot, and the second time slot is a child deviceslot. Furthermore, the broadcasting means broadcasts the parent devicepacket including payload data shown in FIG. 11 (step S2003). Therefore,the parent device always broadcasts the parent device packet, thus thechild device is capable of obtaining the latest information on allparent devices existing within a communicationable range.

[0017] In a certain aspect, the displaying means displays in the parentdevice list only the parent device that executes a gamecommunicationable with the game executed by the user's own apparatus,based on the game identifying information received by the receivingmeans. In a case that the game apparatus is an apparatus to which a gamecartridge storing a game program is detachably attached, for example,the displaying means displays in the parent device list the parentdevice only when the game of the game cartridge attached to the parentdevice is communicationable with the game of the game cartridge attachedto the child device. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, only theparent device capable of executing the game communicationable with theuser's own apparatus is displayed in the parent device list. Therefore,by means of a display of the parent device executing a game notcommunicationable with the user's own apparatus being omitted, itbecomes easy for a player of the child device to select the parentdevice.

[0018] In another aspect, the child device is an apparatus to which agame cartridge storing a game program is detachably attached. Thedisplaying means displays in the parent device list a parent device,too, that executes a game not communicationable with the game of thegame cartridge currently attached thereto. More specifically, the gamecartridge corresponds to a cartridge 16 shown in FIG. 1, and thecartridge 16 stores a game program within a ROM 42. Therefore,basically, the game program cannot execute other game programs. However,even in a case that the cartridge currently attached is a cartridge notcommunicationable with the parent device, it becomes communicationableif changed to another cartridge. Thus, by displaying the parent devicecurrently not communicationable, it becomes possible to encourage tochange the cartridge.

[0019] In still another aspect, the parent device packet furtherincludes entry reception data showing whether or not to receive a newentry of the child device. The displaying means displays in the parentdevice list only the parent device that receives the new entry of thechild device, based on the entry reception data received by thereceiving means. More specifically, the entry reception data correspondsto data other than “ffh” of the E slot, and therefore, the child devicedisplays the parent device that sets the data other than “ffh” in the Eslot of the parent device packet as shown in FIG. 3 in a step S23 or S25(FIG. 20). Therefore, by displaying only the parent device that receivesthe new entry of the child device, wasted information (information onthe parent device not communicationable) of the parent device isomitted, thus allowing a player of the child device to easily select theparent device.

[0020] In yet another embodiment, the parent device further comprises achild device-use program storing means for storing a child device-useprogram, and a child device-use program transmitting means fortransmitting, in response to a connection request from the child device(the child device is an apparatus to which the game cartridge isdetachably attached, for example, and in response to a request from thechild device to which the game cartridge is not attached), the childdevice-use program to the child device. The parent device packet furtherincludes child device-use program holding data showing whether or notbeing provided with the child device-use program storing means. In acase of showing that the child device-use program holding data isprovided with the child device-use program, the displaying meansdisplays in the parent device list the parent device irrespective of thegame, which is executed by the user's own apparatus, based on the childdevice-use program holding data received by the receiving means. Morespecifically, the child device-use program storing means corresponds toan area 76 in FIG. 16, and the child device-use program is transferredfrom the parent device to the child device in a step S77 in FIG. 19(receiving process of the child device is a step S145 in FIG. 26).Therefore, the child device activates the child device-use program, andis capable of playing a game in that OC mode. Herein, in the presentinvention in this embodiment, the parent device having the childdevice-use program holding data (in the embodiment, OC flag) “1” isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 5. That is, the parent device stores not onlya user's own apparatus (for the parent device) program but also thechild device-use program, and transmits the program to the child devicesince the child device receives and executes that program, it is notnecessary to have a game program on the child device side. In addition,since the child device is capable of knowing the parent device capableof playing such the OC-mode-use game, it is possible to easily play thegame even if the cartridge is not attached.

[0021] In addition, in a certain aspect, the parent device stores both afirst program not requiring the child device to transmit the childdevice-use program, and a second program requiring the child device totransmit the child device-use program. The parent device packet furtherincludes execution type data showing which program, the first program orthe second program, the parent device executes. Regarding the parentdevice executing the first program, the displaying means displays in theparent device list only the parent device that executes a gamecommunicationable with the game executed by the user's own apparatus,based on the execution type data received by the receiving means, andregarding the parent device executing the second program, displays inthe parent device list irrespective of the game, which is executed bythe user's own apparatus. More specifically, a cartridge 16 shown inFIG. 16 is attached to the parent device, and this cartridge stores boththe first program (normal mode game program), and the second program (OCmode-use game program), and the execution type data showing which isexecuting, the first program or the second program, that is, “1” or “0”indicated by an OC flag in the embodiment, is transmitted to the parentdevice packet. Therefore, regarding the parent device having the OC flag“1”, the child device displays only the parent device communicationablewith the parent device, and regarding the parent device having the OCflag “0”, all parent devices are displayed irrespective of the game,which is executed by the user's own apparatus. That is, only theinformation of the parent device communicationable with the parentdevice or in a state capable of transmitting the child device-useprogram (second program is being executed) is displayed so that wastedinformation on the parent device (information on the parent device notcommunicationable, and etc.) is omitted. This allows a player to easilyselect the parent device.

[0022] In another aspect, the child device is an apparatus to which agame cartridge storing a game program is detachably attached. Thedisplaying means displays, in a case of the game cartridge is notattached, in the parent device list only the parent device provided withthe child device-use program storing means, based on the childdevice-use program holding data received by the receiving means. Similarto a case of the above-described aspect, only the parent device holdingthe OC-mode-use game program is displayed. Therefore, in a case that thegame cartridge is not attached, the child device displays only theinformation on the parent device capable of transmitting the childdevice-use program. This allows a player of the child device to easilyselect the parent device.

[0023] In still another aspect, the present invention further comprises:a parent device list storing means for storing a parent device list ofthe parent device existing within a communicationable range, based onthe parent device packet received by the receiving means; and a parentdevice list clearing means for regularly clearing the parent device liststored in the parent device list storing means. The displaying meansdisplays based in the parent device list stored in the parent devicelist storing means. More specifically, the parent device list isdisplayed based on the parent device list storing means (whichcorresponds to a parent device list area 80 in FIG. 18), and the parentdevice list is regularly cleared using a parent device list clear timer82 (FIG. 18), for example. This excludes the parent device beyond thecommunicationable range, and enables to surely inform a user or a playerof the only parent device existing within a communicationable range ofthe child device at that time.

[0024] A child device connecting method in a wireless communication gamesystem according to the present invention is a child device connectingmethod in the wireless communication game system using a plurality ofmobile game apparatuses that function as a parent device or a childdevice capable of making a communication with each other, and includesfollowing steps of (a) a step for broadcasting from the parent device aparent device packet including user's own apparatus identifyinginformation for allowing the user's own apparatus to be identified, andgame identifying information for allowing a game executed by the user'sown apparatus to be identified, (b) a step for receiving in the childdevice the parent device packet from the parent device existing within acommunicationable range, (c) a step for displaying in the child device aparent device list of the parent device existing within acommunicationable range, based on the parent device packet received bythe receiving step, (d) a step for allowing in the child device a playerto select any one of the parent devices included in the parent devicelist, and (e) a step for transmitting in the child device a connectionrequest toward the selected parent device.

[0025] A program of a wireless communication game system according tothe present invention is a program of a wireless communication gamesystem using a plurality of mobile game apparatuses that function as aparent device or a child device capable of making a communication witheach other, and allows a processor of the mobile game apparatus toexecute following steps: (a) a step for allowing the processor of theparent device to broadcast a parent device packet including user's ownapparatus identifying information for identifying the user's ownapparatus, and game identifying information for allowing a game executedby the user's own apparatus to be identified, (b) a step for allowingthe processor of the child device to receive the parent device packetfrom the parent device existing within a communicationable range, (c) astep for allowing the processor of the child device to display a parentdevice list of the parent device existing within a communicationablerange, based on the parent device packet received by the step (b), (d) astep for allowing the processor of the child device to make a playerselect any one of the parent devices included in the parent device list,and (e) a step for allowing the processor of the child device totransmit a connection request toward the selected parent device.

[0026] A mobile game apparatus according to the present invention uses aplurality of mobile game apparatuses, any one of which functions as aparent device, and the other of which functions as a child device, bothcapable of playing a wireless communication game. This mobile gameapparatus comprises: a broadcasting means, for the parent device (forfunctioning as the parent device), for broadcasting a parent devicepacket including user's own apparatus identifying information forallowing the user's own apparatus to be identified, and game identifyinginformation for allowing a game executed by the user's own apparatus tobe identified; a receiving means; a displaying means; a means forselecting; and a transmitting means, for the child device (forfunctioning as the child device). The receiving means receives theparent device packet from the parent device existing within acommunicationable range. The displaying means displays a parent devicelist of the parent device existing within a communicationable range,based on the parent device packet received by the receiving means. Themeans for selecting allows a player to select any one of the parentdevices included in the parent device list. The transmitting meanstransmits a connection request toward the selected parent device.

[0027] In such the child device connecting method, the program, themobile game apparatus, too, similar to the wireless communication gamesystem, it gives an advantage that the child device is capable ofknowing the parent device existing within a communicationable range, andeasily selecting and connecting a desired parent device.

[0028] According to the present invention, since the parent devicebroadcasts the parent device information, it is possible that the childdevice knows what kind of parent devices existing within acommunicationable range (that is, it is possible to know the parentdevice capable of playing a communication game). In addition, the childdevice is capable of arbitrarily determining which parent device toconnect.

[0029] In a case of a wireless communication game, the mobile gameapparatus is freely carried, and therefore, the mobile game apparatusexisting within a communicationable range progressively changes.According to the present invention, however, it is possible to knowinformation on the mobile game apparatus existing within acommunicationable range. This makes it possible to freely determine anintended partner with whom to play the wireless communication game.

[0030] In addition, there is a case that an apparatus of a unknownstranger comes into a communicationable range. In this case, too, it ispossible to know the information, thus possible to play the wirelesscommunication game with the unknown stranger.

[0031] The above described objects and other objects, features, aspectsand advantages of the present invention will become more apparent fromthe following detailed description of the present invention when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one example of a mobile gameapparatus used for a wireless transmission game system of one embodimentof the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 2 is an illustrative view for schematically showing a gamesystem using the mobile game apparatus in the FIG. 1 embodiment;

[0034]FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing an example of a displayscreen in a case that an all-display flag, which displays information ofall parent devices around a user's own apparatus in the FIG. 2embodiment, is turned on;

[0035]FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing an example of a displayscreen showing only the parent device existing around the user's ownapparatus and capable of performing a communication game between theuser's own apparatus, in a case that the all-display flag is not turnedon, in the FIG. 2 embodiment;

[0036]FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing an example of a displayscreen showing only the parent device present around the user's ownapparatus and capable of playing a game in an OC (one cartridge) mode,in the FIG. 2 embodiment;

[0037]FIG. 6 is an illustrative view showing an example of a displayscreen of a parent device list in a certain situation in the FIG. 2embodiment;

[0038]FIG. 7 is an illustrative view showing an example of a displayscreen of the parent device list when a mobile game apparatus having auser's name “Siroh” enters a communication range in the FIG. 6 situationin the FIG. 2 embodiment;

[0039]FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing an example of a displayscreen of the parent device list when the mobile game apparatus having auser's name “Ichiroh” comes out of the communication range in the FIG. 7situation in the FIG. 2 embodiment;

[0040]FIG. 9 is an illustrative view showing an example of a displayscreen of a child device list of a situation in which the user's ownapparatus is the parent device, and to wait for a connection (entry) ofthe child device in the FIG. 2 embodiment;

[0041]FIG. 10 is an illustrative view showing one example of a datacycle in the FIG. 2 embodiment;

[0042]FIG. 11 is an illustrative view showing one example of a parentdevice packet transmitted at a parent device slot in the FIG. 10embodiment;

[0043]FIG. 12 is an illustrative view showing a U slot in detail in FIG.11;

[0044]FIG. 13 is an illustrative view showing one example of a childdevice packet transmitted at a child device slot in the FIG. 10embodiment;

[0045]FIG. 14 is an illustrative view showing a specific example ofcommunication data in a certain situation of the FIG. 1 embodiment;

[0046]FIG. 15 is an illustrative view showing one example of a memorymap of a cartridge not applicable to the OC mode;

[0047]FIG. 16 is an illustrative view showing one example of the memorymap of a cartridge applicable to the OC mode;

[0048]FIG. 17 is an illustrative view showing one example of the memorymap of an EEPROM included in the wireless communication unit of the FIG.1 embodiment;

[0049]FIG. 18 is an illustrative view showing one example of the memorymap of an internal RAM of a mobile game machine forming the mobile gameapparatus in the FIG. 1 embodiment;

[0050]FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a part of a main flow showing anoperation of the mobile game machine in the FIG. 1 embodiment;

[0051]FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a succeeding part of FIG. 19;

[0052]FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a succeeding part of FIG. 20;

[0053]FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a succeeding part of FIG. 21;

[0054]FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a succeeding part of FIG. 22;

[0055]FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a succeeding part of FIG. 21;

[0056]FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a succeeding part of FIG. 19;

[0057]FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a succeeding part of FIG. 25;

[0058]FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a part of an operation of aconnection process of a parent device;

[0059]FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a succeeding part of FIG. 27;

[0060]FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an operation of atransmission/reception process of the parent device;

[0061]FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a part of an operation of aconnection process of a child device;

[0062]FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a succeeding part of FIG. 30;

[0063]FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an operation of atransmission/reception process of the child device;

[0064]FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing an operation of a restoring processof the child device; and

[0065]FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a major portion of an embodiment inwhich a selection is made as to whether the user's own apparatus isrendered the parent device or the child device in the first place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0066] A wireless communication game system to which the presentinvention is adapted uses a mobile game apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 1as an example. In this embodiment, the mobile game apparatus 10 includesa mobile game machine 12 such as a GameBoy Advance (Trademark), forexample, a wireless communication unit 14 connected to a communicationconnector 46 of the mobile game machine 12, and a cartridge 16 connectedto a cartridge connector 40. That is, in this embodiment, the mobilegame apparatus 10 is constructed of the mobile game machine 12, thewireless communication unit 14, and the cartridge 16.

[0067] The mobile game machine 12 shown in FIG. 1 includes a processor20, and the processor 20 includes a CPU core 22 and a boot ROM 24related thereto, an LCD controller 26, a WRAM (working RAM: the samebelow) 28, a VRAM 30, and a peripheral circuit 32. However, theperipheral circuit 32 includes a voice (sound) circuit, a DMA (DirectMemory Access) circuit, a timer circuit, an input/output interface(I/O), and etc. In an LCD 18 provided in a front surface of the mobilegame machine 12, a displaying signal or an RGB signal in this embodimentis applied from the processor 20, and therefore, a game image isdisplayed in color on the LCD 18. In addition, an audio signal isapplied from the processor 20 to the sound circuit 34, and voices orsound such as a game music and a sound effect is output by the audiosignal. Furthermore, a cross key and a start key provided sandwichingthe LCD 18 in the front surface of the mobile game machine 12, a selectkey, an A button and a B button are congregated and displayed as anoperation switch 38, and an operation signal from the operation switch38 is input into the processor 20. Therefore, the processor 20 executesa process in accordance with an instruction of a user applied throughthe operation switch 38.

[0068] The mobile game machine 12 has the cartridge connector 40, andthe cartridge 16 is connected or inserted into this cartridge connector40. The cartridge 16 contains a ROM 42 and a backup RAM 44, and a gameprogram for a game to be executed in the mobile game machine 12, inaddition to its game name, is set in the ROM 42 in advance. The backupRAM 44 stores progressive data of the game and resultant data of thegame.

[0069] The mobile game machine 12 is further provided with thecommunication connector 46, and a connector 48 of the wirelesscommunication unit 14 is connected to the communication connector 46. Itis noted that the mobile game machine 12 used in this embodiment isGameBoy Advance (Trademark) as an example. In this case, theabove-described cartridge connector 40 is a 32-pin connector provided ata far side on an upper surface when the LCD 18 is rendered a frontsurface (front face), and the communication connector 46 is a 6-pinconnector provided at a near side on an upper side.

[0070] The wireless communication unit 14 includes a base band IC 50,and the base band IC 50 includes a ROM 52. The ROM 52 contains an OCD(One-Cartridge Download) program, and other programs, for example, andthe base band IC 50 is operated according to these programs. It is notedthat the One-Cartridge Download program is a program for downloading aprogram into the child device in an OC mode (one-cartridge mode: a modein which a game cartridge is attached to the parent device only, and thechild device is operated in response to a download of a child device-useprogram from the parent device cartridge).

[0071] The wireless communication unit 14 is further provided with anEEPROM 54, and a user's name, for example, is uniquely set to the EEPROM54. The base band (Base Band) IC 50 transmits data including the user'sname to an RF (Radio Frequency)—IC56, the RF—IC 56 modulates the data,and transmits a radio wave from an antenna 58. However, an intensity ofthe radio wave is extremely weak, and is set to so small a value thatthis wave radio is not subject to a regulation of Radio Law. Inaddition, this wireless communication unit 14 is provided with a powercircuit 60. Typically, the power circuit 60 is a battery, and supplies aDC (direct-current) power source to each component of the wirelesscommunication unit 14.

[0072] In addition, in the wireless communication unit 14, the radiowave transmitted from another mobile game apparatus is received by theantenna 58, demodulated by the RF-IC 56, and a demodulated signal isinput into the base band IC 50. Therefore, the base band IC 50 decodesthe demodulated signal, decodes the data, and transmits the data to themobile game machine 12, that is, the WRAM 28 via the connectors 48 and46.

[0073] In the wireless communication game system of the embodimentaccording to the present invention, a plurality of mobile gameapparatuses 10 as shown in FIG. 1 are used. A dotted line 64 in FIG. 2indicates a communicationable range of a user's mobile game apparatus62. In addition, it is probable that the mobile game apparatus 62 canapply for an entry to the mobile game apparatus existing within thecommunicationable range 64. This communicationable range 64 is a rangecapable of performing a data communication between the parent device andthe child device by the above-described weak radio wave, and any of aplurality of the mobile game apparatuses existing within thecommunicationable range 64 can arbitrarily become the parent device orthe child device. In the example of FIG. 1, four parent devices, threechild devices, and one user's own apparatus 62 exist within the range64.

[0074] In addition, in a case that the user's own apparatus 62participates in a game, the apparatus 62 needs to become the parentdevice or the child device. In a case that the user's own apparatusbecomes the child device, it is necessary to find a parent devicecapable of participating. When finding the parent device, it isnecessary to find a different parent device depending on a case that theuser's own apparatus has the cartridge 16.

[0075] First, in a case that the user's own apparatus 62 is the mobilegame apparatus to which the cartridge 16 is attached shown in FIG. 1,and an all-display flag showing to display all parent devices around theuser's own apparatus 62 (described later) is set to “1”, a parent devicelist 18A as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the LCD 18 of the mobilegame machine 12 show in FIG. 1. In the parent device list 18A in FIG. 3,all parent devices existing within the communicationable range 64 (FIG.2), that is, three parent devices having the user's names as “Taroh”,“Ichiroh”, and “Jiroh”, respectively, are displayed. Therefore, when theuser of the user's own apparatus intends to operate or function theuser's own apparatus as the child device, the user is capable ofselecting the parent device to which the user intends to connect bymoving a cursor by the cross key included in the operation key 38(FIG. 1) so as to specify the parent device, and after this, depressingthe A button that is also included in the operation key 38.

[0076] However, in a case that it is intended to use the user's ownapparatus as the parent device, the user may simply depress a B buttonincluded in the operation key 38.

[0077] The reason why only the three parent devices are displayed in theparent device list 18A in FIG. 3, in spite of the four parent devicesexisting within the range 64 in FIG. 2 is that the parent device havingthe user name “Saburoh” has an entry slot ESlot set to “ffh”. The entryslot ESlot is a flag showing whether or not to accept a new childdevice, and when the entry slot ESlot is set to “ffh”, the parent devicerefuses a new participation of the child device so that such the parentdevice is not displayed. The parent device having the user name“Saburoh” has reached the maximum number of child devices available forentry, thus not accepting the new child device.

[0078] In addition, in the parent device list 18A in FIG. 3, a circle(O) is added to the parent device having the user name “Jiroh”. Thiscircle (O) indicates that it is possible to play the game in the OCmode.

[0079] Furthermore, when the all-display flag is turned-off, the parentdevice list 18A shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the LCD 18. In thiscase, the game cartridge of the user's own apparatus such as a parentdevice communicationable with Mario Kart-1 (Trademark), for example,that is, only the parent device having the user name “Jiroh” in thisexample, is displayed. Because a cartridge of Mario Kart-2 (Trademark)is attached to the parent device having the user name “Taroh”, and theMario Kart-1 (Trademark) and the Mario Kart-2 (Trademark) arecommunicationable with each other. It is noted that if there is a parentdevice to which the cartridge of the Mario Kart-1 (Trademark) isattached within the communicationable range 64, that parent device, too,is displayed without question.

[0080] In the above-described example, the cartridge of the Mario Kart-1(Trademark) is attached to the user's own apparatus (child device).However, in a case of intending to play the game in the OC mode withoutthe cartridge 16 being attached to the user's own apparatus, a parentdevice list 18A shown in FIG. 5, for example, is displayed on the LCD18. In the parent device list 18A in this FIG. 5, only the parent devicecorresponding to the OC mode, that is, the parent device having the username “Jiroh”, is displayed in this example (“F-ZERO” (Trademark) is agame corresponding to the OC mode). However, the cartridge 16 is notattached to the user's own apparatus in this case, and thus, the user'sown apparatus cannot become the parent device. Therefore, a message thatsays “depress button B if you want to become the parent device” shown inFIG. 3 or FIG. 4 is not displayed.

[0081] Next, referring to FIG. 6-FIG. 8, descriptions will be maderegarding a change of the display of the user's own apparatus 62 in acase that the parent device having the user name “Shiroh” enters thecommunicationable range 64 shown in FIG. 2, and later, the parent devicehaving the user name “Ichiroh” comes out of the range 64. In a case thatthe parent device having the user name “Shiroh” is outside the range,the same parent device list 18A as FIG. 3 is displayed on the LCD 18 ofthe user's own apparatus as shown in FIG. 6.

[0082] Subsequently, when the parent device having the user name“Shiroh” enters the range, a parent device list 18A shown in FIG. 7 isdisplayed. It is noted that it is assumed that the all-display flag ofthe user's own apparatus 62 is turned-on. That is, the parent devicehaving the user name “Shiroh” is displayed in addition to the parentdevices having the user name “Taroh”, “Ichiroh”, and “Jiroh”,respectively.

[0083] Furthermore, when the parent device having the user name“Ichiroh” comes outside the range 64, a parent device list 18A in FIG. 8is displayed. The parent device having the user name “Ichiroh” is notdisplayed in this parent device list.

[0084] In addition, in a case that the user's own apparatus is theparent device, and waits for a new participation of the child device, achild device list 18B shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the LCD 18.Looking at this child device list 18B allows to know that child deviceshaving the user name “Goroh”, “Rokuroh”, and “Hichiroh”, respectivelyare currently connected to the user's own apparatus. Herein, it is notedthat since this embodiment is a wireless communication game system thatprocesses the game by making a wireless communication between the parentdevice and the child device by a extremely weak radio wave, a term“connect” is not essentially to be used. However, as a term to describea coordinating state communicationable between the mobile gameapparatus, which becomes the parent device, and the mobile gameapparatus, which becomes the child device, the term “connect” is usedfor the sake of convenience, by borrowing a term used in a case of awire communication.

[0085] Next, referring to FIG. 10-FIG. 14, descriptions will be maderegarding data packet formats in a case that the parent device and thechild device, which are in a connecting state, make a wirelesscommunication. As shown in FIG. 10, one data cycle is two milliseconds,and the data cycle includes one parent device slot and a plurality of(in this embodiment, four) child device slots. In the parent deviceslot, a parent device packet specifically shown in FIG. 11 is broadcast,and in each of the four child device slots, a transmission of the childdevice packet specifically shown in FIG. 13 to the parent device isperformed.

[0086] The parent device packet, as shown in FIG. 11, has a field syncfor storing synchronizing data at its head, and has a field PID forstoring a number (identifying code) PID of the parent device subsequentto that synchronizing data field sync. Subsequent to the field PID, auser name field UserName, and a game name field GameName are formed. Inthe user name field UserName, a user name read-out from the EEPROM 54(FIG. 1), which corresponds to “Jiroh”, “Ichiroh”, and etc. in theabove-described example, is registered, and in the game name fieldGameName, the game name such as the Mario Kart-1 (Trademark), Mariokart-2 (Trademark), the F-Zero (Trademark), Golf, . . . in theabove-described example, are registered. It is noted that if thecartridge 16 (FIG. 1) is attached, a game name (68 in FIG. 16) read-outfrom the ROM 42 (FIG. 1) may be automatically registered in this gamename field GameName.

[0087] The parent device packet further includes a flag OC, and thisflag OC is a flag showing whether or not possible to be applied to theabove-described one cartridge (OC) mode. More specifically, when thisflag OC is reset, that is, when OC=0, this means that the game cartridgeof the parent device at that time is not applicable to the OC mode, orapplicable to the OC mode, however, it is currently played in the normalmode. When the flag OC is set, that is, when OC=1, this means that it ispossible to be applicable to the OC mode, and it is currently played inthe OC mode. Therefore, a user who does not have the cartridge needs tofind the parent device having this flag OC “1”.

[0088] Subsequent to the flag OC, the parent device packet includesfields ESlot, USlot, and Payload in this order. The E slot field Eslotis stored with the number of the child device slots available for entry(participation). That is, the slot number that a newly participatedchild device can use is stored. In the U slot field USlot, a usagesituation of the child device slot is stored. More specifically, this isshown in FIG. 12. That is, the U slot field USlot includes four areas,and each of four areas corresponds to a child device slot 0, a childdevice slot 1, a child device slot 2, and a child device slot 3. Then,in each area, the number (identifying code) CID of the child device towhich the child device slot is assigned is stored. When the child devicenumber CID corresponding to the area is registered, it is understoodthat that child device slot is used.

[0089] The payload field Payload is a field for transmitting the gamedata necessary in a game process, and a field for storing the game datatransmitted from the parent device to the child device.

[0090] A child device packet transmitted from the child device at thechild device slot assigned to the child device is displayed in FIG. 13.That is, the child device packet includes a head field CID for storingor registering the child device number CID, and a payload field Payloadsubsequent thereto. The payload field Payload is a field for storinggame data transmitted from the child device to the parent device.

[0091]FIG. 14 shows a specific example. In the example of FIG. 14, “58”is stored in the parent device number field PID, and therefore, it isunderstood that the parent device number PID is “58”. In addition, it isunderstood that the user name of the parent device is “Taroh”, the gamename is Mario Kart (Trademark), the flag OC is “0”, and “2” isregistered in the E slot field ESlot. Furthermore, by referring to the Uslot field USlot, it is understood that although the child device havingthe child device number (CID) “16” is connected to the child device slot0, and the child device having the child device number (CID) “130” tothe child device slot 1, respectively, both the child devices 2 and 3are “0h”, thus possible to know that the both are vacant slots.

[0092] In a case that a new child device attempts to connect (Entry) tothe parent device under such the situation, the child device number isdetermined by issuing the child device number CID other than “16” or“130” such as a random number, for example, because, by referring to theU slot field USLot of the parent device, “16” and “130” are used as thechild device CID. As one example, it is provided that “86” is determinedas the CID of the child device. Therefore, the child device transmitsCID=86 to the child device slot (child device slot 2) designated by theESlot.

[0093] Then, the parent device knows, by receiving “86” in the childdevice slot 2, that the child device having the child device number CID“86” intends to apply for entry. Next, the parent device determineswhether or not to accept that entry. In a case of accepting the entry,the parent device broadcasts the parent device packet having “86” set tothe area corresponding to the child device slot 2 of the Uslot, which isshown in the lowest column in FIG. 14, and signals that a newparticipation of the child device having the child device number CID“86” is accepted. At the same time, the newly participated child deviceconfirms that CID=86 is present as its own child device number in thearea corresponding to the child device slot 2 of the Uslot.

[0094]FIG. 15 shows a memory map of the cartridge not applicable to theOC mode, and FIG. 16 shows a memory map of the cartridge applicable tothe OC mode.

[0095] In the FIG. 15 embodiment, the ROM 42 (FIG. 1) included in thecartridge 16 includes a game program area 62, and a game name area 64.In the game program area 62, a common program 66, a parent deviceprogram 68, and a child device program 70 are stored in advance. Thecommon program 66 is a program used in spite of the user's own apparatusbeing the parent device or the child device. That is, in a case that theuser's own apparatus is the parent device, the common program and aparent device program described later are executed, and in a case thatthe user's own apparatus is the child device, the common program and achild device program described later are executed. The parent deviceprogram 68 is a program operated only when the user's own apparatusfunctions as the parent device, and in addition to including variables Mand N, includes the flag OC set to “0” (that is, turned-off). However,the variable M indicates the maximum number of the child devicespossible to simultaneously connect to the parent device, and thevariable N indicates the maximum number of slots that one child devicecan use. It is noted that both the variables M and N change dependent onto the game. The child device program 70 is a program operated only whenthe user's own apparatus is functioned as the child device, and includesthe above-described variable N. In the game name area 64, a name of theabove game programs such as Mario Kart-1 (Trademark), Golf, . . . , andetc. is stored in advance.

[0096] In an embodiment in FIG. 16, too, the ROM 42 of the cartridge 16includes the game program area 62 and the game name area 64. In the gamename program area 62, the same common program 66, the parent deviceprogram 68, and the child device program 70 as in FIG. 15 are set, andan OC mode-use game program 72 is set in order to be applicable to theOC mode. The OC mode-use game program 72 includes a parent deviceprogram 74, and a transmission-use child device program 76. The parentdevice program 74 is the same as the above parent device program 68except that the flag OC is set to “1”. The transmission-use child deviceprogram 76 is a program for transferring to the child device that playsthe game in the OC mode, and includes the variable N. The child devicethat applies for entry in the OC mode is capable of participating in thegame by receiving this transmission-use child device program 76transmitted (downloaded) from the parent device.

[0097] The memory map of the EEPROM 54 of the wireless communicationunit 14 shown in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 17, and as shown in FIG. 17,the EEPROM 54 includes a user name area 78. In the user name area 78,the user name such as “Taroh”, “Ichiroh”, . . . , or the like as in theabove-described example, is registered.

[0098] Referring to the memory map shown in FIG. 18, the WRAM 28 of thegame machine 12 (FIG. 12) includes a parent device list area 80, aparent device list clear timer 82, a child device list area 84, variableareas 86 and 88, a game variable area 90, a transmission buffer area 92,and a reception buffer area 94.

[0099] The parent device list area 80 is an area for temporarilystoring/holding the data for displaying the parent device list 18Adescribed earlier in FIG. 3, and etc. such as the parent device number(PID), the user name (UserName), the game name (GameName), the flag OC,the E slot field ESlot, for example.

[0100] The parent device list clear timer 82 is a timer for measuring atime period until clearing the data of this parent device list area 80,and as described later, if a time set to this timer 82 is up, the parentdevice list area 80 is automatically cleared.

[0101] The child device list area 84 is an area for temporarilystoring/holding the data for displaying the child device list 18Bdescribed earlier in FIG. 9 and etc., such as the child device number(CID), the user name (UserName), and the game name (GameName), forexample.

[0102] The WRAM 28 further includes the parent device variable area 86for storing a variable used when the user's own apparatus is operated(behaves) as the parent device, and the child device variable area 88for storing a variable used when the user's own apparatus is operated(behaves) as the child device.

[0103] In the parent device variable area 86, data for the respectivefields PID, USlot, and ESlot and the child device number (CID) of thechild device subject to connection, and in addition, variables n and mare set. Herein, the variable n indicates the number of slots currentlyand actually assigned to one child device, and its maximum number isapplied by the above-described variable N. In addition, the variable mindicates the number of the child devices currently, actually andsimultaneously connected to one parent device, and its maximum number isapplied by the above-described variable M.

[0104] In the child device variable area 88, data for the field CIDshown in FIG. 12 is set, for example, and a variable showing aconnection result, a variable showing a restoring result, the parentdevice number (PID) of a connection-destination parent device, thenumber of acquired slots (one or plural number), a synchronizing timer,the variable n, and furthermore, the all-display flag are set.

[0105] The game variable area 90 is an area for storing game variablesof the game being executed such as variables showing the number ofcleared stages, an acquired item, and etc, for example. In addition, atransmission buffer 92 and a reception buffer 94 are areas fortemporarily storing transmitting data and receiving data, respectively.

[0106] More than one mobile game apparatuses 10 each of which has suchthe structure constructs the game system, and descriptions regarding anoperation of each mobile game apparatus 10 in the game system are madebelow by referring to flow charts.

[0107] Prior to the detailed descriptions, in a case that the cartridgenot applicable to the OC mode is attached to the user's own apparatus,and the user's own apparatus becomes the parent device, a series ofsteps S29 (FIG. 21)-S69 (FIG. 23) described later are executed. Inaddition, in a case that the cartridge not applicable to the OC mode isattached to the user's own apparatus, and the user's own apparatusbecomes the child device, a series of steps S83-S109 (FIG. 24) describedlater are executed.

[0108] Furthermore, in a case that although the cartridge applicable tothe OC mode is attached to the user's own apparatus, the game is playedin the normal mode (not OC mode), when the user's own apparatus becomesthe parent device, a series of the steps S29 (FIG. 21)-S69 (FIG. 23)described later are executed. When the user's own apparatus becomes thechild device similar to the above, a series of the steps S83-S109 (FIG.24) described later are executed.

[0109] Moreover, in a case that the cartridge applicable to the OC modeis attached to the user's own apparatus, and the game is played in theOC mode, the user's own apparatus cannot function other than the parentdevice. In this case, via steps S75 and S77 (FIG. 19), similar to theabove case of the parent device, a series of the steps S29 shown in FIG.21-S69 shown in FIG. 23 are executed.

[0110] In addition, in a case that the cartridge is not attached to theuser's own apparatus, the user's own apparatus can only become the childdevice in the OC mode, and therefore, in this case, a series of stepsS111 (FIG. 19)-S147 (FIG. 26) are executed.

[0111]FIG. 19 shows an operation of the mobile game machine 12. When apower source (not shown) of the mobile game machine 12 is turned-on, anoperation in FIG. 19 is started. First, an operation set within the BootROM 24 is executed. That is, in a first step S1, the processor 20, basedon a signal from the connector 40 (FIG. 1), for example, detects whetheror not the cartridge 16 is attached, and in a case that there is thecartridge in a step S3, the process moves to a program of the ROM 42 ofthe cartridge 16. In a succeeding step S5, it is determined whether ornot the cartridge is a cartridge applicable to the OC mode. In this stepS5, it is determined whether the cartridge in FIG. 15 (cartridge notapplicable to the OC mode) is attached or the cartridge in FIG. 16(cartridge applicable to the OC mode) is attached.

[0112] In a case that “NO” is determined in the step S5, that is, in acase that although the cartridge is attached to the user's ownapparatus, the cartridge is a cartridge not applicable to the OC mode,the process advances to a step S7 in FIG. 20, in addition to clearingthe parent device list area 80 shown in FIG. 18, resets the parentdevice list clear timer 82 similarly shown in FIG. 18. Furthermore, theall-display flag set to the child device variable area 88 in FIG. 18 isturned-on (“1” is set). It is noted that the parent device clear timer82 automatically starts counting the timer after the resetting.

[0113] Subsequently, in a step S9, it is attempted to receive the parentdevice packet as shown in FIG. 11. In the step S11, it is determinedwhether or not the parent device packet is successfully received. Then,if “YES” is determined in the step S11, in a succeeding step S13, it isdetermined whether or not the parent device that broadcasts is theparent device not existing in the parent device list. More specifically,in this step S13, it is determined whether or not the parent device PIDand the user name out of the data of the received parent device packet(data temporarily stored in the reception buffer 94 of the WRAM 28 shownin FIG. 18) is the parent device registered in the parent device list 80(FIG. 18). If “YES” is determined in this step S13, that is, in a caseof a new parent device, in a succeeding step S15, the processor 20 newlyregisters in the parent device list 80 the parent device ID (PID), theuser name (UserName), the game name (GameName), the OC flag (OC), andthe entry slot (ESlot) included in the parent device packet.

[0114] When “NO” is determined in the preceding step S11, or when afterfinishing registration in the step S15, in a succeeding step S17, it isdetermined whether or not a value of the parent device list clear timer82 reset in the preceding step S7 becomes equal to or longer than twoseconds. If “YES”, the parent device list 80 is cleared in a step S19,and the parent device list clear timer 82 is reset. Herein, the reasonwhy the parent device list clear timer 82 is reset is that as describedabove, by referring to FIG. 8, in a case that a certain parent device(“Jiroh” in FIG. 8) comes out of the communicationable range, it isnecessary to delete the parent device from the parent device list 80.Therefore, by regularly (every two seconds in this embodiment) clearingthe parent device list 80 and making a registration to the list of theparent device existing within the communicationable range from thestart, the parent device that comes out of the communicationable rangeis not remained in the parent device list. When “NO” is determined inthe step S17, or after executing the step S19, in a succeeding step S21,the processor 20 determines whether or not the above-described wholedisplay flag is turned-on (“1”). It is noted that in this embodiment,this whole display flag is set to “1” or turn-on as a default. When theall-display flag is turned-on, in a step S23, the parent device havingthe entry slot ESlot not “ffh” out of the parent devices registered inthe parent device list, that is, information (more specifically, theuser name UserName, and the game name GameName) on all the parentdevices that accept a new entry of the child device is displayed asshown in FIG. 3. When the all-display flag is turned-off (“0”), in astep S25, information (the user name UserName and the game nameGameName) of the parent device having the entry slot ESlot not “ffh”,and that is communicationable (that is, the game of the cartridge of theparent device and the game of the cartridge of the child device are in apredetermined relationship, and communicationable with each other), outof the parent devices registered in the base list, is displayed as shownin FIG. 4.

[0115] Subsequently, the process advances to a step S27 in FIG. 21, andthe processor 20 refers to a signal from the operation key 38 so as todetermine whether or not the B button (not shown) is depressed. That theB button is depressed means that the user of the mobile game apparatusdetermines to make the user's own apparatus behave as the parent device,and in this case, in order to accept the child device within thevariables M and N, a parent device connection process of a step S29 isexecuted. It is noted that the variable N indicating the maximum numberof slots applied to one child device and the variable M indicating themaximum number of child devices possible to participate are changeabledepending on the game, respectively. In order to increase the maximumnumber of child devices possible to participate M, the maximum number ofslots N may be rendered small, and if a data rate is important, themaximum number of slots N may be rendered large, and the maximum numberof child devices possible to participate M may be rendered small, forexample.

[0116] Herein, referring to FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, detailed descriptionswill be made regarding a connection process of the parent device in astep S29 for inviting the child device. In a step S1001, which is afirst step in FIG. 27, the processor 20 clears the child device listarea 84 shown in FIG. 18, and displays an initial display. This stepS1001 is a initial setting step, and in addition to the above process,further sets the maximum number (N) of sub time slots assigned to onechild device, and sets the maximum number (M) of the child devicesaccepting the entry. It is noted that each of the maximum numbers of Nand M can be determined in accordance with the game program to beexecuted. Thus, if the maximum number N of the sub time slots assignedto one child device and the maximum number M of the child devicespossible to simultaneously participate are to be determined according tothe game, of a constant number of the sub time slot, it is possible todetermine whether to increase the number of the child devices possibleto participate by decreasing the number of the slots assigned to onechild device or to increase the data rate by increasing the number ofthe slots assigned to one child device in correspondence to a content ofthe game. In a case that the more the player, the more interesting thegame, the number of the slots N may be rendered small, and the number ofthe participating child devices M may be rendered large. In a case ofthe game requiring a large communication amount, the number of the slotsN may be rendered large, and the number of the participating childdevices may be rendered small.

[0117] In a succeeding step S1003, the processor 20 writes a pseudorandom value into the area PID for setting the parent device PID of theparent device variable area 86 (FIG. 18). Next, in a succeeding stepS1005, the variable m indicating the number of child devices actuallyconnecting to the parent device (user's own apparatus) within thecommunicationable range is rendered zero (0), and in a succeeding stepS1007, “Null” is set to the area of a subject to connection CIDindicating the number of child devices subject to connection. Inaddition, zero (0) is written into the variable n, within the area 86,indicating the number of slots actually allotted to the child deviceunder a connection process. It is noted that the subject to connectionCID is a CID of the child device under the connection process, and isfor ignoring an entry request from the child device of the CID otherthan the subject to connection CID, in a case that a plurality of theslots are to be allotted to one child device in the entry process, whenallotting of the slot to a certain child device is started in order toallot a plurality of the slots to the certain child device in asuccessive number. In a succeeding step S1009, one of the vacant slotnumbers is assigned to the entry slot area ESlot within the area 86.

[0118] Subsequently, in a succeeding step S1011, the processor 20examines the signal from the operation key 38 (FIG. 1) so as todetermine whether or not the A button (not shown) is depressed. If “YES”in the step S1011, which means that the user of the user's own apparatus(parent device) at that time refuses its child device's entry (see FIG.9), thus in a succeeding step S1013, the processor 20 deletes from thechild device list area 84 in FIG. 18 the data, USlot and CID of theselected child device. Subsequently, in a step S1015, a new child devicelist 18B is displayed as shown in FIG. 9.

[0119] Then, if “NO” is determined in the step S1011, that is, the userof the parent device did not depress the A button, or after executingthe step S1015, the processor 20 determines whether or not the start key(not shown) is operated based on the signal from the operation key 38 ina step S1017. If “YES”, the process directly returns. However, if “NO”,in a succeeding step S1021, a transmission/reception process of theparent device shown in detail in FIG. 29 is executed.

[0120] The transmission/reception process of the parent device shown ina step S1019 in FIG. 27 is shown in detail in FIG. 29. In a step S2001in FIG. 29, the processor 20 determines whether or not there is data yetto be transmitted in the transmission buffer 92 (FIG. 18). If “YES”, ina succeeding step S2003, data necessary for the parent device in FIG. 14such as the PID, the user name, the game name, the OC flag, the E slot,the U slot, and the payload, which is the above-described data yet to betransmitted, for example, is transmitted. Then, in a succeeding stepS2005, after receiving the child device packet, the process returns.

[0121] If “NO” is determined in the preceding step S2001, in asucceeding step S2007, the processor 20 determines whether or not nodata transmission is made during the past 64 miliseconds. It is notedthat a time period of this “64 miliseconds” is an example of a numericalvalue capable of dissolving a timer deviation, and needless to say,other numerical values may be possible.

[0122] If “YES” is determined in the step S2007, using the parent deviceslot, each data excluding the payload such as the PID, the user name,the game name, the OC flag, the E slot, and the U slot, for example, istransmitted in a step S2009. This step S2009 is a step necessary forenabling the entry from the child device, and even without the payload(data to be transmitted), the data necessary for the entry process (thePID, the user name, the game name, the OC flag, the E slot, and the Uslot) is regularly transmitted, thus the child device is always capableof making the entry process. In this step S2009, the payload data is nottransmitted. Next, after the step S2009 is ended, or when “NO” isdetermined in the step S2007, the process returns via the preceding stepS2005.

[0123] Returning to FIG. 27, in the step S1021 subsequent to the stepS1019, the processor 20 determines whether or not the child device CIDis successfully received in the slot designated by the field ESlot ofthe parent device packet shown in FIG. 11 (that is, it is determinedwhether or not the child device uses the entry slot and makes the entryrequest). In a case of “NO” in this step S1021, the process returns tothe preceding step S1011, and in a case of “YES”, in a succeeding stepS1023, it is determined whether or not the subject to connection childdevice CID of the child device variable area 86 in FIG. 18 is Null (thatis, it is determined whether or not there is another child devicecurrently under entry process). If YES, that is, if the number of thechild device subject to connection (CID) is not registered, in a stepS1025, the child device CID received in the step S1019 is registered asthe number of the child device subject to connection (CID) in thesubject to connection child device CID within the area 86 in FIG. 18.

[0124] When “NO” in the preceding step S1023, or after ending the stepS1025, the processor 20 determines whether or not the received CID isthe same as the subject to connection CID (that is, it is determinedwhether or not the received CID is the CID of the child device currentlyunder connection process) in a step S1027. If “NO”, the process returnsto the preceding step S1011. If “YES”, that CID is stored in a portionshowing the entry slot of the U slot area USlot within the area 86 inFIG. 18 in a succeeding step S1029. Next, in a step S1031, the actualnumber of connecting slots n is incremented (+1), and in a step S1033,it is determined whether or not n=N, W, that is, the actual number ofconnecting slots n reaches the maximum number of slots N (variesdepending on each game) applied to one child device. If “YES”, since itis not accepted to allot more slots to the child device, the processadvances to a succeeding step S1035 shown in FIG. 28. However, if “NO”,since it is possible to allot more slots to the child device, theprocess returns to the step S1009.

[0125] When the actual number of allotted slots n reaches the maximumnumber of allottable slots N, the entry process toward the child deviceis ended, and the process advances to a step S1035 in FIG. 28. However,in this step S1035, the processor 20 of the mobile game machine, whichbecomes the parent device, receives the user name, the game name, andetc. of the child device having the entry process ended. The user nameand the game name of the child device are added to the child device listin a step S1037, and the child device list 18B is displayed as shown inFIG. 9 in a step S1039.

[0126] Subsequently, the processor 20 of the parent device, in a stepS1041, increments (+1) the actual number of child devices m, and in astep S1043, determines whether or not the actual number of child devicesm becomes equal to the maximum number of child devices to be connected M(varies depending on each game). If “YES” is determined in the stepS1043, that is, it is determined that it is not possible to connect morechild devices, the process directly returns.

[0127] On the contrary, in a case that it is still possible to connectmore than one child devices, that is, “NO” is determined in the stepS1043, the process returns to the step S1007 in FIG. 27.

[0128] Thus, the connection process is executed in the step S29 in FIG.21, and furthermore, in the step S31 in FIG. 22, it is temporarilystopped accepting the child device, and “ffh” is written into the entryslot ESlot in order to prohibit other child devices from participating.Next, as required during the game, in order to invite the child devicesadditionally, the subject to connection CID within the area 86 in FIG.18 is rendered Null, that is, the actual number of connecting slots n=0.

[0129] Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the game is startedin the step S33, that is, the start button (not shown) included in theoperation key 38 is depressed. When the start button is depressed, inthe succeeding step S35, the processor 20 refers to the U slot areaUSlot of the parent device variable area 86 shown in FIG. 8 so as todetect the number “m” of the child devices currently being connected.The number of areas, which is not “0h” out of each area of the U slot,is the number m currently being connected. Next, in the step S37, it isdetermined whether or not the number of the child devices beingconnected m is smaller than the maximum number of connections M. Beingdetermined “YES” in this step S37 means that the new entry of the childdevice is accepted. Therefore, in this case, in the succeeding step S39,one of the vacant slot numbers (the slot number corresponding to thearea, which is “0h”, out of the U slots) is set to the E slot area ESlotof the parent device variable area 86. This cancels a state setting ofthe area ESlot of “fh”.

[0130] Next, in the step 541, by the transmission/reception process ofthe parent device described by referring to FIG. 29 in advance, theparent device packet shown in FIG. 11 is broadcast (transmitted), andthe child device data (packet) shown in FIG. 13 is received from theeach child device.

[0131] Subsequently, in the step S43, the processor 20 determineswhether or not the data of a certain child device is not successfullyreceived for more than a predetermined time period t1. Being determined“YES” in this step S43 means that it is probable that the child devicehas already departed from the communicationable range 64 (FIG. 2), andin this case, in the step S45, the processor 20 deletes the child devicenumber CID of the child device from the U slot area USlot of the parentdevice variable area 86 (FIG. 18). As a result of this process, thechild device slot used by the departed child device becomes a vacantslot, thus making it possible to allow a new entry of the child deviceinstead of the departed child device.

[0132] When “NO” is determined in the step S43, or after the step S45 isended, in the succeeding step S47, the processor 20 determines whetheror not “ffh” is set to the E slot area ESlot of the parent devicevariable area 86. If “YES”, in the succeeding step S49, the processor 20executes the game process according to the game program 62 (FIG. 15) ofthe cartridge 16.

[0133] When “NO” is determined in the step S47 in FIG. 22, in order toaccept a mid-course participation of the child device, the processadvances to the step S51 in FIG. 23. In this step S51, the processor 20of the parent device determines whether or not the child device CID issuccessfully received by the slot designated in the E slot field ESlot.If “YES”, in the succeeding step S53, it is determined whether or not“Null” is written into the area of the subject to connection CID withinthe area 86 in FIG. 18. If “YES”, that is, the CID of the child devicesubject to connection is not registered, in the step S55, the CIDreceived by the slot designated in the E slot is registered in the areaof the subject to connection CID.

[0134] When “NO” in the preceding step S53, or when the step S55 isended, the processor 20 determines whether or not the received childdevice number CID is the same as the subject to connection CID in thestep S57. If “YES”, in the succeeding step S59, the child device CID isstored in a portion showing the entry slot of the U slot area USlot ofthe area 86 in FIG. 18. Next, in the step S61, the actual number ofconnecting slots n is incremented (+1), and in the step S63, it isdetermined whether or not n=N, that is, the actual number of connectingslots n reaches the maximum number of slots N allottable to one childdevice. If “YES”, since it is no more possible to accept allotting theslot to the child device, the allotting of slot to the child device isended, and in the step S65, “Null” is set to the area of the subject toconnection CID within the area 86, and zero (0) is written into thevariable n.

[0135] Subsequently, the processor 20 of the parent device, in the stepS67, determines whether or not the actual number of connecting childdevices m becomes equal to the maximum number of connectable childdevices M. If “YES” is determined in this step S67, that is, it isdetermined that it is not possible to connect more child device, in thestep S69, “ffh” is written into the E slot area ESlot.

[0136] It is noted that after the step S69, or when “NO” is determinedin the steps S51, S57, S63 or S67, respectively, the process stops themid-course participation process of the child device in each case, andreturns (returns to the step S49 in FIG. 49) to the game process.

[0137] The above-described is a case that the cartridge not applicableto the OC mode is attached to the user's own apparatus, and a process ofthe mobile game apparatus of a case that the user's own apparatusbecomes the parent device.

[0138] Next, descriptions will be made regarding a process of the mobilegame apparatus of a case that the cartridge applicable to the OC mode isattached to the user's own apparatus.

[0139] When “YES” is determined in the step S5 in FIG. 19, that is, in acase that the cartridge applicable to the OC mode shown in FIG. 16 isattached to the user's own apparatus, in the succeeding step S71, theprocessor 20 displays a mode selection screen (not shown). Next, in astep S73, it is determined whether or not the normal mode is selected.If “YES”, similar to when “NO” is determined in the preceding step S5,the process advances to the step S7 in FIG. 20. That is, a process of acase that the cartridge not applicable to the OC mode is attached is thesame as the process of a case that the cartridge applicable to the OCmode is attached, and however, the normal mode is selected.

[0140] In a case that the cartridge applicable to the OC mode isattached to the user's own apparatus, and the game of the OC mode isplayed, the user's own apparatus can only become the parent device.Described in detail, If “NO” in a step S73, that is, in a case that theOC mode is selected, in the succeeding step S75, similar to thepreceding step S29 (FIG. 21), the connection process of the parentdevice described in detail by referring to FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 isexecuted. It is noted that, at this time, the number of slots to be usedN of one child device is “1” (N=1), and as the maximum number to beconnected M, the number allowed inherently by the game is set.Subsequently, in the step S77, the processor 20 transfers (downloads) atransfer-use child device program shown in FIG. 16 to the child device.Subsequently, the process advances to the step S31 in FIG. 22, andexecutes each step that follows as described above.

[0141] The above-described is the process of the mobile game apparatusin a case that the cartridge applicable to the OC mode is attached tothe user's own apparatus.

[0142] 106 Next, descriptions will be made regarding a case that thecartridge not applicable to the OC mode is attached, and a process ofthe mobile game apparatus in a case that the user's own apparatusbecomes the child device.

[0143] When “NO” is determined in the step S27 in FIG. 21, that is, whena selection that the user's own apparatus becomes the parent device isnot made, in the succeeding step S79, the processor 20 of the mobilegame machine 12 examines an operation signal from the operation key 38so as to determine whether or not the A button (not shown) is depressed,that is, it is determined whether or not the parent device intending toconnect is selected. If “YES” is determined in this step S79, theprocessor 20, next, in the step S81, determines whether or not possibleto communicate between the selected parent device. That is, it isdetermined whether or not the cartridge of the parent device and thecartridge of the user's own apparatus are in a predeterminedrelationship and capable of making a communication with each other. Whencommunicationable, later, the process advances to a step S83 in FIG. 24so as to execute the connection process of the child device. Theconnection process of the child device is described in detail in FIG. 30and FIG. 31.

[0144] In a step S301, which is a first step in FIG. 30, the processor20 of the mobile game machine that becomes the child device attempts toreceive the parent device packet (FIG. 11). Next, in a succeeding stepS3003, it is determined whether or not frame synchronizing data sync ofthe parent device selected in the menu screen is successfully received(FIG. 3, and etc.). More specifically, it is determined whether or notthe synchronizing data sync of the parent device packet including thePID of the parent device selected on the menu screen is successfullyreceived.

[0145] When “NO” is determined in the step S3003, that is, in a casethat the parent device packet of the selected parent device is notsuccessfully received, in a step S3005, it is determined whether or notit is time-out (time is run out), and if “NO” in this step S3005, theprocess returns to the preceding step S3001. However, if “YES”, theprocess writes “failure” into a connection result variable (within thearea 88 in FIG. 18) in a step S3007, and then, returns.

[0146] When “YES” is determined in the step S3003, that is, when thesynchronizing signal of the subject parent device is successfullyreceived, in a step S3009, the processor 20 of the child device resets asynchronizing timer (area 88), and advances to a succeeding step S3011.In this step S3011, the processor 20 renders the pseudo random value theID number of the child device CID. Next, in a step S3011, it isdetermined whether or not the child device having the CID at this timeis already present. That is, referring to the U slot of the receivedparent device packet, it is determined whether or not the same CID isalready present. In a case that “YES” in the step S3013, it is necessaryto change the number once allotted, and therefore, in this case, thestep S3011 is once again executed, and by allotting a new number CID,the examination in the step S3013 is once again executed.

[0147] The steps S3011 and S3013 are repeated until “NO” is obtained inthe step S3013, and when “NO” is obtained, the process advances to asucceeding step S3015. In the step S3015, the number of actuallyallotted slots n is rendered zero (0), and furthermore, in a succeedingstep S3017, the parent device packet is received, and in a step S3019,the synchronizing timer is once again reset. Next, in a step S3021, theprocessor 20 determines whether or not the E slot ESlot of the receivedparent device packet (see FIG. 11) is “ffh”. If “YES” is determined inthis step S3021, since the entry of the parent device is prohibited, theprocess returns, assuming that this is “failure”, via the preceding stepS3007.

[0148] When “NO” is determined in the step S3021, the process advancesto a step S3023 in FIG. 31 because the entry of the child device is notprohibited. In the step S3023, the CPU core of the child devicetransmits the number CID obtained in the step S3011 to the slot shown inthe E slot field ESlot of the parent device packet at that time. Next,in a succeeding step S3025, the parent device packet is received, and ina step S3027, the synchronizing timer is once again reset.

[0149] Next, in a succeeding step S3029, the processor 20 of the childdevice confirms whether or not its own number (CID) is present in anentry slot position of the U slot field of the received parent devicepacket. Next, if “NO” is determined in this step S3029, in a succeedingstep S3031, the processor 20 determines whether or not it is thetime-out. In a case that it is not the time-out, the process returns tothe preceding step S3017 (FIG. 30). However, in a case that the time-outoccurs, the process writes “failure” in the connection result variablein the step S3007 in FIG. 30, and then, returns.

[0150] When “YES” is determined in the step S3029, that is, its ownnumber (CID) is present in the entry slot position of the U slot of thereceived parent device packet, after incrementing (+1) the actual numberof allotted slots n in a succeeding step S3033, in a step S3035, it isdetermined whether or not the actual number of allotted slots n becomesequal to the maximum number of slots N to be allotted to one childdevice (that is, this N changes depending on a game. A value of 1-4, forexample). When “NO” is determined in this step S3035, that is, when itis still possible to allotted the slot, the process returns to thepreceding step S3025 so as to receive the parent device packet.

[0151] However, if “YES” is determined in the step S3025, assuming thatas many slots as possible are assigned, in a succeeding step S3037,“success” is registered in the connection result variable, and theprocess advances to a succeeding step S3039. In this step S3039, theparent device number PID of the connected parent device and the acquiredslot number are stored in the area 88 of the internal RAM 28 of theuser's own apparatus (FIG. 18). However, there is a case that the slotnumber is plural, and in this embodiment, the numerical value is any oneof “0”-“3”. Next, the process returns to the step S85 in FIG. 24, later.

[0152] In the step S85, it is determined whether or not the connectionresult is “success” by referring to the connection result variable ofthe area 88. Then, in a case of “NO”, in a succeeding step S87, amessage such as “not connected”, for example, is displayed on the LCD 18of the parent device (FIG. 1), and then, the process returns to the stepS7.

[0153] In a case that the connection to the parent device is successful,in a succeeding step S89, the processor 20 of the child device, towardthe parent device, uses the parent device slot allotted to the user'sown apparatus so as to transmit the user name and the game name of theuser's own apparatus. Next, in a step S91, it is determined whether ornot to start the game, that is, it is determined whether or not thestart button included in the operation key 38 is depressed. If it isdetected that the start button is turned-on in this step S91, in asucceeding step S93, the transmission/reception process of the childdevice is executed.

[0154] The transmission/reception process of the child device shown inthe step S93 in FIG. 24 is described in detail in FIG. 32. The parentdevice packet is received in a step S4001 in FIG. 32, and in asucceeding step S4003, the synchronizing timer (FIG. 18) is reset. Next,in a step S4005, the processor 20 of the parent device determineswhether or not there is the transmitting data yet to be transmitted inthe transmission buffer 92 (FIG. 18). If “YES”, in a succeeding stepS4007, using the parent device slot already assigned, the necessary datasuch as the CID, the payload, for example, is transmitted. Then, in acase that there is no data yet to be transmitted, or after the stepS4007, the process returns to the step S95 in FIG. 24.

[0155] Returning to FIG. 24 once again, in the step S95, the processor20 of the child device determines whether or not the data is notsuccessfully received from the parent device for more than a time periodt2. The time period t2 is shorter than the time period t1 in the stepS43 in the preceding FIG. 22. That is, t1 is >t2. This is because t1 isa time period for cutting-off the child device having an abnormalcommunication, and t2 is a time period that the parent device starts arestoring process, and it is necessary for the parent device to wait forthe restoring process of the parent device, and then cut-off. In a caseof “NO”, in addition, in a succeeding step S97, it is determined whetheror not its own number CID is included in the U slot field of thereceived parent device packet. In a case of “YES” in the step S97, in astep S99, the game process in FIG. 22 is executed. It is noted that in acase of “NO” in the step S97, that is, in a case that the number of theuser's own apparatus is not present in the U slot field of the parentdevice packet, in a step S101, a message such as “cut-off from theparent device”, for example, is displayed on the LCD, and the processreturns to the step S7 in FIG. 20.

[0156] When “YES” is determined in the preceding step S95, that is, nodata has been successfully received from the parent device for more thanthe predetermined time period t2, in a step S103, a message such as “notcommunicationable with the parent device. Try to restore”, for example,is displayed, and after this, in a step S105, a restoring process isexecuted.

[0157] This restoring process is displayed in detail in FIG. 33, and ina step S5001, which is a first step in FIG. 33, the processor 20 of theparent device attempts to receive the child device to be restored. Next,in a step S5003, it is determined whether or not it has been successfulto receive the broadcasting data from the parent device. It is notedthat whether or not the parent device at that time is a parent device towhich the user's own apparatus is to be restored is understood bylooking at the “connection-destination PID” registered in the area 88 inFIG. 18.

[0158] When “NO” is determined in the step S5003, that is, when it isnot successful to receive the data of the parent device packet which theuser's own apparatus is to be restored, in a succeeding step S5005, itis determined whether or not it is time-out. Then, if “NO”, the processreturns to the preceding step S5003, and however, if it is time-out, ina succeeding step S5007, the process writes “failure” in the restoringresult variable included in the area 88 shown in FIG. 18, and then,returns.

[0159] When “YES” is determined in the preceding step S5003, that is,when it is successful to receive the parent device packet from thesubject parent device, the synchronizing timer is reset in a succeedingstep S5009, and furthermore, in a step S5011, the parent device packetis received. Then, in a step S5013, it is determined whether or not itsown number CID is present in the U slot field of the parent devicepacket. That the number of the user's own apparatus is present in thereceived parent device packet means that the reason of a state of thecommunication failure for more than the time period t2 is not anintentional cutting-off by the parent device, and therefore, in asucceeding step S5015, the process registers “success” in the restoringresult variable of the area 88 (FIG. 18), and then, returns. As a resultof this restoring process thus being made, in a case that the parentdevice and the child device deviates from the communicationable range inerror, that no communication is established due to a poor communicationstate, or that the player operating the child device comes across acertain private duty, and the child device player needs to deviate fromthe communicationable range for a short period of time, after such thecauses are dissolved so that the communicationable state isreestablished, it is possible to return to a prior communication state.

[0160] It is noted that even if “YES” is determined in the step S5003,if “NO” is determined in the step S5013, the process returns via thepreceding step S5007, assuming that the communication cuffing-offresults from an intentions of the parent device.

[0161] Returning from a subroutine in FIG. 33 to the step S107 in FIG.24, in this step S107, by referring to the restoring result variable ofthe area 88, it is determined whether or not the restoring is “success”.If “YES”, the proves advances to a step S99 so as to execute the gameprocess. However, if “NO”, in a step S109, after displaying a messagesuch as “not possible to return”, for example, the process returns tothe step S7 in FIG. 20.

[0162] The above-described is a case that the cartridge not applicableto the OC mode is attached to the user's own apparatus, and the processof the mobile game apparatus in a case that the user's own apparatusbecomes the child device.

[0163] Next, descriptions will be made regarding a process of the mobilegame apparatus in a case that the cartridge is not attached to theuser's own apparatus. However, in this case, the user's own apparatuscan merely operate as the child device of the game corresponding to theOC mode.

[0164] Returning to FIG. 19, “NO” is determined in the step S3, that is,in a case of detecting that the parent device does not have thecartridge, in a step S111, which is a program of the boot ROM (24 inFIG. 1), an OCD program (program for downloading the child device-useprogram from the parent device) set to the ROM 52 of the wirelesscommunication unit 14 (FIG. 1) is developed into the WRAM 28 included inthe processor 20 of the mobile game machine 12, and in a step S113,later, the processor 20 of the child device starts the OCD programdeveloped on the WRAM 28.

[0165] Subsequently, in a step S115 in FIG. 25, the processor 20 of thechild device clears the parent device list area 80 as shown in FIG. 18,and resets the parent device list clear timer 82. Next, in a step S117,it is attempted to receive the parent device packet. Then, in a stepS119, it is determined whether or not successful to receive the parentdevice, if “NO”, the process advances to a step S125, and if “YES”, theprocess advances to a step S121. In the step S121, by comparing theparent device number PID included in the received parent device packetand the number PID registered in the parent device list area 80 shown inFIG. 18, it is determined whether or not the parent device thattransmitted the parent device packet is included is not present withinthe parent device list. If “YES” is determined in this step S121, in astep S123, similar to registering a new parent device to the parentdevice list, the new unit number PID, the user name, the game name, theOC flag, and the E slot read-out from the parent device packet are addedto the parent device list area 80. Subsequently, the process advances tothe step S125.

[0166] In the step S125, it is determined whether or not a value of theparent device clear timer 82 reset in the step S115 becomes equal to ormore than “2 seconds”. If “YES”, the parent device list, that is, theparent device list area 80, is cleared in a step S127, and the parentdevice list clear timer 82 is reset. Subsequently, the process advancesto a step S127 similar to a case that “NO” is determined in the stepS125.

[0167] In the step S127, of the parent device list, the parent devicehaving the E slot not “ffh” and the OC flag “1”, that is, information(user name, game name) of the parent device capable of playing the gamein the OC mode, and that does not refuse a participation (entry) of thechild device is displayed. This creates, to the user of the childdevice, a parent device list 18A as shown in FIG. 5, and allows theuser's own apparatus to select the parent device. Next, in a step S131,it is determined whether or not the A button (not shown) is operated.That is, it is determined that any one of the parent devices isselected. If “NO” in the step S127, that is, the parent device is notselected, in a succeeding step S133, it is determined whether or not thecross key (not shown) included in the operation key 38 is operated. Theoperating of the cross key is for moving the cursor for selecting theparent device that intends the entry, and therefore, if “YES” in thisstep S133, in a succeeding step S135, the cursor is moved, and theprocess returns to the step S113.

[0168] If “YES” is determined in the step S131, the process advances toa step S139 so as to execute a connection process of the child device(FIG. 30, FIG. 31).

[0169] In a step S137, according to the method already described indetail, the connection process of the child device is executed, and inthe succeeding step S139, by referring to the connection result variableof the area 88 in FIG. 18, it is determined whether or not theconnection is successful. If “NO”, a message such as “connectionfailed”, for example, is displayed in a step S141, and the processreturns to the step S111.

[0170] If “YES” is determined in the step S139, the processor 20transmits toward the parent device that successfully made the connectionwith the child device the user name of the parent device, and the gamename. Subsequently, the process advances to a step S145 in FIG. 26 so asto, for playing the game in the OC mode, receive a transfer-use childdevice program from the parent device, develop the same within the RAM28 (FIG. 1) of the user's own apparatus, and starts the program. Then,subsequently, in a step S147, the respective steps similar to the stepsS91-S109 in FIG. 24 described earlier are executed.

[0171] The above is a process of the mobile game apparatus in a casethat the cartridge is not attached to the user's own apparatus.

[0172] It is noted that if “NO” is determined in the step S81 in FIG.21, that is, in a case that although it is attempted to select theparent device, failed to make the communication, in a step S149, amessage such as “the parent device cannot be selected”, for example, isdisplayed, and the process returns to the step S9 in FIG. 20.

[0173] In addition, if “NO” is determined in the step S79 in FIG. 21,that is, in a case neither the B button nor the A button is operated, itis determined whether or not the cross key (not shown) is operated in asucceeding step S151. If “NO”, it is determined whether or not the startkey (not shown) is operated in a succeeding step S153. In a case thatthe start key is not operated, the process returns to the step S9 inFIG. 20. In a case that “YES” is determined in the step S153, in thestep S153, after changing on/off of the all-display flag, similarly, theprocess returns to the step S9 (that is, the select key is used forcontrolling the on/off of the all-display flag). It is noted that in acase that “YES” is determined in the step S151, after moving the cursoraccording to an instruction of the cross key, the process returns to thestep S9.

[0174] It is noted that in the above embodiment, it is selected whetherthe user's own apparatus is rendered the parent device or the childdevice, in tune with progress of the program. However, it may bepossible that such the selection is immediately made. In this case, asshown in FIG. 34, in a step S201, which is a first step immediatelyafter the start, a selection screen (not shown) of the parent device orthe child device is displayed, and the according to the display, theuser selects the parent device or the child device. Therefore, theprocessor 20, in a succeeding step S203, determines whether or not theuser has selected the parent device. In a case of “YES” in the stepS203, after this, the steps that follow the step S29 in the precedingFIG. 21 are executed. In a case of “NO”, that is, in a case that thechild device is selected, the steps S7-S25, S79, S151-S157, and S81-S109shown in FIG. 21 are executed.

[0175] Although the present invention has been described and illustratedin detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way ofillustration and example only and is not to be taken by way oflimitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limitedonly by the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless communication game system using aplurality of mobile game apparatuses, which function as a parent deviceor a child device capable of making a wireless communication with eachother, wherein said parent device includes a broadcasting means forbroadcasting a parent device packet including user's own apparatusidentifying information for allowing a user's own apparatus to beidentified and game identifying information for allowing a game executedby the user's own apparatus to be identified and said child deviceincludes: a receiving means for receiving said parent device packet fromthe parent device existing within a communicationable range; adisplaying means for displaying a parent device list of the parentdevice existing within the communicationable range, based on said parentdevice packet received by said receiving means; a selecting means forallowing a player to select any one of the parent devices included insaid parent device list; and a connection request transmitting means fortransmitting a connection request toward the parent device selected bysaid selecting means.
 2. A wireless communication game system accordingto claim 1, wherein said broadcasting means broadcasts said parentdevice packet even during a time that a communication game is beingexecuted with another child device.
 3. A wireless communication gamesystem according to claim 1, wherein said parent device and said childdevice are apparatuses for making a wireless communication in apredetermined communication cycle, and said communication cycle includesa first time slot used by said parent device, and a second time slotused by said child device, and said broadcasting means transmits saidparent device packet including game data in said first time slot.
 4. Awireless communication game system according to claim 1, wherein saiddisplaying means displays in said parent device list only the parentdevice that executes a game communicationable with the game executed bythe user's own apparatus, based on said game identifying informationreceived by said receiving means.
 5. A wireless communication gamesystem according to claim 1, wherein said child device is an apparatusto which a game cartridge storing a game program is detachably attached,and said displaying means displays in said parent device list a parentdevice, too, that executes a game not communicationable with the game ofthe game cartridge currently attached thereto.
 6. A wirelesscommunication game system according to claim 1, wherein said parentdevice packet further includes entry reception data showing whether ornot to receive a new entry of the child device, and said displayingmeans displays in said parent device list only the parent device thatreceives the new entry of the child device, based on said entryreception data received by said receiving means.
 7. A wirelesscommunication game system according to claim 1, wherein said parentdevice further comprises a child device-use program storing means forstoring a child device-use program, and a child device-use programtransmitting means for transmitting, in response to a connection requestfrom said child device said child device-use program to said childdevice said parent device packet further includes child device-useprogram holding data showing whether or not being provided with saidchild device-use program storing means, and said displaying meansdisplays, in a case that said child device-use program holding datashows being provided with said child device-use program, in said parentdevice list the parent device irrespective of the game, which isexecuted by the user's own apparatus, based on said child device-useprogram holding data received by said receiving means.
 8. A wirelesscommunication game system according to claim 1, wherein said parentdevice is an apparatus for storing both a first program that the childdevice does not request the parent device to transmit the childdevice-use program, and a second program that the child device requeststhe parent device to transmit the child device-use program, said parentdevice packet further includes execution type data showing whichprogram, said first program or said second program, said parent deviceexecutes, and said displaying means displays in said parent device listonly the parent device that executes a game communicationable with thegame executed by the user's own apparatus regarding the parent deviceexecuting said first program, and in said parent device listirrespective of the game, which is executed by the user's own apparatusregarding the parent device executing said second program, based on saidexecution type data received by said receiving means.
 9. A wirelesscommunication game system according to claim 1, wherein said childdevice is an apparatus to which a game cartridge storing a game programis detachably attached, and said displaying means displays, in a case ofsaid game cartridge is not attached, in said parent device list only theparent device provided with said child device-use program storing means,based on said child device-use program holding data received by saidreceiving means.
 10. A wireless communication game system according toclaim 1, wherein said child device further comprises: a parent devicelist storing means for storing a parent device list of the parent deviceexisting within a communicationable range, based on said parent devicepacket received by said receiving means; and a parent device listclearing means for regularly clearing the parent device list stored insaid parent device list storing means, wherein said displaying meansdisplays based in the parent device list stored in said parent devicelist storing means.
 11. A child device connecting method in a wirelesscommunication game system using a plurality of mobile game apparatusesthat function as a parent device or a child device capable of making acommunication with each other, including following steps of: (a) a stepfor broadcasting from the parent device a parent device packet includinguser's own apparatus identifying information for allowing the user's ownapparatus to be identified, and game identifying information forallowing a game executed by the user's own apparatus to be identified;(b) a step for receiving in the child device said parent device packetfrom the parent device existing within a communicationable range; (c) astep for displaying in the child device a parent device list of theparent device existing within a communicationable range, based on saidparent device packet received by said receiving step; (d) a step forallowing in the child device a player to select any one of the parentdevices included in said parent device list; and (e) a step fortransmitting in the child device a connection request toward saidselected parent device.
 12. A program of a wireless communication gamesystem using a plurality of mobile game apparatuses that function as aparent device or a child device, and are capable of making acommunication with each other, allowing a processor of the mobile gameapparatus to execute following steps of: (a) a step for allowing theprocessor of the parent device to broadcast a parent device packetincluding user's own apparatus identifying information for identifyingthe user's own apparatus, and game identifying information for allowinga game executed by the user's own apparatus to be identified; (b) a stepfor allowing the processor of the child device to receive said parentdevice packet from the parent device existing within a communicationablerange; (c) a step for allowing the processor of the child device todisplay a parent device list of the parent device existing within acommunicationable range, based on said parent device packet received bysaid step (b); (d) a step for allowing the processor of the child deviceto make a player select any one of the parent devices included in saidparent device list, and (e) a step for allowing the processor of thechild device to transmit a connection request toward said selectedparent device.
 13. A mobile game apparatus capable of playing a wirelesscommunication game which utilizes a plurality of mobile gameapparatuses, and any one of which functions as a parent device, and theother of which functions as a child device, comprising: a broadcastingmeans, for the parent device, for broadcasting a parent device packetincluding user's own apparatus identifying information for allowing theuser's own apparatus to be identified, and game identifying informationfor allowing a game executed by the user's own apparatus to beidentified; a receiving means, for the child device, for receiving saidparent device packet from the parent device existing within acommunicationable range; a displaying means, for the child device, fordisplaying a parent device list of the parent device existing within acommunicationable range, based on said parent device packet received bysaid receiving means; a means, for the child device, for allowing aplayer to select any one of the parent devices included in said parentdevice list; and a transmitting means, for the child device, fortransmitting a connection request toward said selected parent device.